Cerebral Palsy (CP) Sensory Equipment
Cerebral palsy (CP) is an umbrella term for a group of neurological issues that affect movement and coordination. Caused by abnormal brain development or damage that occurs before, during or shortly after birth, these conditions typically limit motor skills due to issues with muscle tone, but may involve additional difficulties with communication, cognition and sensory processing.
While there is no cure for the condition, by engaging with physiotherapy and cerebral palsy equipment, individuals can increase their independence and overcome some of the sensory problems it causes. Working closely with occupational therapists, our sensory product designers at Experia USA have developed numerous solutions that allow those with cerebral palsy to strengthen their motor skills and test their sensory capacities under controlled conditions.
What Are Sensory Rooms for Cerebral Palsy?
Depending on the type of cerebral palsy an individual has, their symptoms can vary in nature and severity. Those with spastic cerebral palsy experience either muscle stiffness or floppiness, making gross motor movements much more challenging, whereas individuals with dyskinetic cerebral palsy are affected by uncontrolled body movements that can significantly limit their independence.
In addition to the physical difficulties posed by the condition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that about 1 in 10 children with cerebral palsy also have autism, which presents multiple other developmental and sensory challenges. For this reason, sensory rooms for cerebral palsy can be an invaluable resource for nurturing the progression and addressing the sensory processing issues faced by these children. By combining physical equipment for building muscle strength with visual and auditory products for regulating sensory inputs, multisensory environments can facilitate various sensory activities for those with cerebral palsy to safely challenge their abilities and enhance their independence.
Sensory Products for Cerebral Palsy
Given the variety of ways cerebral palsy and its comorbidities can impact the mobility and sensory capacity of individuals with the condition, we recommend populating your sensory space with sensory cerebral palsy equipment that creates multiple avenues for development. Soft play equipment is an essential component of any cerebral palsy sensory room, as its cushioned padding gives users the reassurance they need to push their mobility beyond their perceived limits. As for fine motor development, the flexible casing of our fiber optic threads can be easily manipulated such that users can scrunch or weave them between their fingers as their dexterity develops.
For individuals who struggle with speech and language due to their condition, our sound equalizer transforms audible inputs into multicolored lights that stretch across its display, encouraging users to put their vocal chords to the test. The customizable images and audio clips featured on our soundboard similarly allow users to engage their communication skills, while its compatibility with our IRiS Wireless controllers gives users the freedom to engage other skills simultaneously. The IRiS Qube is particularly popular in cerebral palsy sensory spaces, as the soft play cube challenges fine motor abilities while the user controls their environment.
We appreciate that planning a sensory room for cerebral palsy that encourages movement, balance and language development can be complicated for the uninitiated, which is why Experia USA offers free room design services for clients across every sector. To arrange a consultation with our expert team, or to discuss some of the sensory activities for cerebral palsy you can practice in our spaces, please get in touch with us today via email or call us toll-free at 1-800-882-4045.
